St. Clair County sees big increase in grass blazes

Dry weather was major contributor

10:47 PM,
Apr. 9, 2012

Written by

HOLLY SETTER
| Times Herald

A mild winter and early start to spring let people get to work in their yards sooner than normal this year, but the early start doesn't have everything coming up roses.

Tim Conger, director of St. Clair County's Central Dispatch Authority, said it has have dispatched nearly five times more grass fires this year compared with last year. Between Jan. 1 and April 9, firefighters have responded to 48 calls; there were only 10 last year during the same time period.

"It seems like we've been hearing about a grass fire every other day," Port Huron Township Fire Chief Craig Miller said. "We've only had one ...